Ankle-joint.



Patented Aug. 29, 1911.

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N. F. HARRISON.

ANKLE JOINT APPLICATION FILED MAR.17, 1009.

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N. P. HARRISON.

ANKLE JOINT. APPLICATION FILED MAR.17, 1009.

1,001,641 Patented Aug. 29, 1911.

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NOBLE FORREST HARRISON, OF GRAND RAPIDS, IVIICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONEJ-IALF TO JOHN WADDELL, 0F GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

ANKLE-JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11 29, 1911.

Application filed March 17, 1909. Serial No. 483,910.

To (,LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NonLr. FORREST I'TAR- mson, a citizen of the United States, resid ing at Grand Rapids, county of Kent, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ankle- Joints, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in ankle oints for artificial legs.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improved ankle joint for artificial legs, which has the movement of a natural joint. Second, to provide an improved ankle joint which, when in use, does not cause a twisting strain upon the leg of the wearer. Third, to provide an improved artificial joint for artificial legs which serves as a cushion.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the ac companying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a structure embodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on a line corre sponding to line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a plan view of the member 21. Fig. 5 is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the foot member, the cap of the socket bearing being removed. Fig. 7 is an inverted plan of the socket member 15. Fig. 8 is a perspective of the socket member 12.

in the drawings, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the sect-ion lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 and 2 are the foot and leg members respectively. On the foot member 1 is a plate 3 having a socket 4t and a central depressed seat 5 therein. On the leg member 2 is a plate 6 having an annular groove like socket 7 therein. The

plate (3 is provided with a central hole 8. The plate 3 is rigidly secured to the foot member as by'means of suitable screws 9, while the plate (3 is rigidly secured to the leg member as by means of suitable screws as 10.

The foot and leg members are connected by a universal joint connection, consisting, in the structure illustrated, of a lull-bearing member 11 and the socket bearing member 12, the ball-bearing member being secured to and forming a head for the bolt 13, which is arranged through a longitudinal hole 14;, in the leg member. The socket member 12 is provided with a cap member 15, which is secured in place and the socket member 12 is secured in its seat by means of the bolts 16. The bolt 13 is provided with a nut 17 at its upper end, for retaining the leg member thereon. The leg member is provided with a seat 18 for the cushion 19 with which the rest 20 on the bolt 13 engages, thus securing a yielding connection for the leg member to the universal joint. The rest 20 is preferably in the form of a nut threaded upon the bolt 13, and is held from turning by its engagement with the plate 6 in which it is adapted to reciprocate, the hole in the plate being preferably contra-med to receive the nut. Between the foot and leg members and arranged in the sockets therein is a cushion member 21, the edges of which are preferably curved, as clearly appears from the drawing. This cushion member bears in the socket of the foot member with a ball and socket action. It preferably is so shaped and is of such a size that it normally engages the side walls of the socket member 3, as clearly appears in Fig. 2, and is out of engagement with the end walls thereof, as clearly appears in Fig. The object of this is to permit a greater freedom of movement of the foot member on the transverse axis of the universal joint, that is, the axis running transvmsely of the foot, than on its longitudinal axis. By this arrangement, the foot is held yieldingly in its normal position, and is permitted to move in any direction at the same time with greater freedom in the direction of its movement in walking. By providing the yielding connection for the universal joint to the leg member, a cushion is secured for the wearer, and at the same time the foot is held in its proper position.

My improved joint is very simple in construction, and is at the same time very comfortable and efficient in use. I have illustrated and described the same in detail in the form preferred by me on account of its structural simplicity and economy, although I am however aware that it is capable of very great variation in structural details without departing from my invention, and I desire to be understood as claiming the same broadly as well as specifically as illustrated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with the leg and foot members, of a universal joint connection for said leg and foot members comprising a con necting bolt having a ball bearing member at its lower end, slidably connected to said leg member; a cushion arranged about said bolt, said leg member being provided with a seat for the upper end of said cushion and said bolt with a seat for the lower end of said cushion; a socket member for said ball bearing member arranged on said foot member; and an oblong cushion bearing member arranged between said leg and foot members with its greatest diameter longitudinallyof the foot member, said leg member being provided with a seat for the upper end of said cushion bearing member whereby said cushion bearing member is fixed in its relation to said leg member, said cushion member having a curved bearing surface at its lower end, said foot member being provided with a bearing socket conformed to said curved surface with which said cushion bearing member has a rocking bearing engagement.

2. The combination with the leg and foot members, of a universal oint connection for said leg and foot members; and an oblong cushion bearing member arranged between said leg and foot members with its greatest diameter longitudinally of the foot member, said leg member being provided with a seat for the upper end of said. cushion bearing member whereby said cushion bearing member is fixed in its relation to said leg member, said cushion member having a curved bearing surface at its lower end, and said foot member being provided with a bearing socket conformed to said curved surface with which said cushion bearing member has a rocking bearing engagement, said socket permitting greater bearing movement of said cushion member on the transverse axis of said foot member than its longitudinal axis.

8. The combination with the leg and foot members, of a universal oint connecting said members; and a cushion bearing member of resilient material disposed between said foot and leg members with an oblong bearing surface with its greatest diameter longitudinally of the foot member and adapted to swing with the leg member and having a rocking bearing engagement with said foot member, said foot member being provided with a bearing socket for said cushion member, the side portions of said socket being normally in bearing contact with the said cushion member and the front and rear portions of which are normally out of contact therewith, thereby permitting a greater freedom of movement of said foot member on its transverse than on its longitudinal axis.

4;. The combination with the leg and foot members, of a universal joint connection for said leg and foot members comprising a connecting bolt having a ball bearing member at its lower end, slidably connected to said leg member; a cushion arranged about said bolt, said leg member being provided with a seat for the upper end of said cushion and said bolt with a seat for the lower end of said cushion; and a socket member for said ball bearing member arranged on said foot member.

5. The combination with the leg and foot members, of a universal joint connection for said. leg and foot members comprising a connecting bolt having a ball bearing member at its lower end, slidablyconnected to said leg member; a cushion arranged about said bolt, said leg member being provided with a seat for the upper end of said cushion and said bolt with an adjustable seat for the lower end of said cushion; and a socket member for said ball bearing member arranged on said foot member.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

NOBLE FORREST HARRISON.

lVitnesses HENRY J. TEN ELSHOF, FRED GARBER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

